Restaurants in Franklin

Like an overzealous mama bird, The Brown Bag Deli has been feeding hundreds of hungry mouths over its 30-plus years in existence. Join the nest with today’s deal: for $5, you get $10 worth of sandwiches, soups, salads, and more at this German Village mainstay. This is a popular lunch spot, but it's also open for dinner. Please don't neglect dinner, as he hates when his little brother gets all the attention and will most likely react by putting mashed potatoes in your hair while you sleep.

Originally conceived as a rationale for the recently invented sliced bread, the hot dog revolutionized the way Americans eat and make juvenile double-entendres. You'll learn this and many other hot dog–related facts with today's Groupon: for $5, you get $10 worth of fun-loving comfort cuisine at The Acme Hotdog and Sausage Company for $5. Don your most mustard-stained T-shirt and saddle up your ballpark appetite for six to eight bites of historical dog decadence.

Spinelli's lunch and dinner menu has hot panini, fresh salads, flatbread pizza, soups, pasta, and more. Try penne with meatballs smothered in Spinelli's signature sauce ($6.49) or a magherita pizza made with fresh basil, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella balls ($4.99). Spinelli's is best known for its creative cold sandwiches, including the Jalapeño Joe (turkey, jalapeño bacon, pepper-jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo on a cheddar roll, $6.49) and the Thurber Big Beef (roast beef, lettuce, tomato, Monterey jack cheese, and mild horseradish sauce on an Asiago roll, $6.29). Have half a sandwich with a cup of lobster bisque, vegetarian gumbo, chicken noodle soup, chili, or another fresh soup for $6.49. Or start the day with a specialty sandwich. The breakfast bill of fare includes melty morning grinders such as a tostini (egg, American cheese, roasted red peppers, $3.99) and a lox sandwich (smoked salmon, plain cream cheese, and red onion, $6.49) served on a freshly baked bagel, English muffin, or croissant. Breakfast, like syndicated Simpsons reruns, is available all day.

Founded in 1947 as a poker hall for traveling tycoons, The Clarmont became a steakhouse when it fell out of fashion to use grilled beef slabs as chips. Since then, the Columbus institution has added seafood and fresh fish offerings to its sumptuous menu. The culinary fireworks begin at dinner with the always-goes-fast prime rib of beef ($19.59), seasoned and roasted on-site each day, or The Clarmont's 50-year standby: 12 ounces of filet mignon ($30.99), which you can top with fresh mushrooms ($2.99), drizzle with port demi-glace ($2.95), and side with french-fried onion rings ($4.79/full order), among other things. Beyond the beef, discriminating diners can branch out into lamb osso bucco ($23.99), Long Island duckling in a bing cherry glaze ($21.99), or potato-encrusted salmon in an orange horseradish beurre blanc ($19.99). A wine menu featuring 17 by-the-glass options, such as Italian Al Verdi Pinot Grigio ($5.25), and more than 100 bottle options are available to pair with delectable dishes, as well as lubricate conversation that's been desiccated by too many office anecdotes.

Most meals on the menu start with Shane's barbecue sauce, which is concocted from a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation, much like folktales, uneaten fruitcakes, and the location of the Holy Pail. Saddle up with one of Shane's feastful plates such as the famously meat-melting ribs ($12.49 for half rack and $19.49 for full rack), which are wistfully glazed in "Big Dad's" secret barbecue sauce and cradled in a smoker for hours until moist and tender. The decadent, slow-cooked pulled pork ($8.49) or savory beef brisket ($9.99)—both of which are smothered in barbecue sauce before being nestled between two slices of texas toast—will require at least three napkins or an old bridesmaid's dress to keep your hands clean. Shane's poultry pastimes include tenders ($4.99 to $7.99), wings ($6.99 to $13.99), and a chicken-salad sandwich. All plates are served with texas toast and two sides, including baked beans, fried okra, french fries, French mimes, corn on the cob, and mac ‘n’ cheese. Shane's can also slide a ton of flavorful sandwiches, salads, and over 20 gluten-free options across its counter.

The Max & Erma's menu opens with appetizers that run the gamut from finger-friendly chicken tenders ($7.99) to a gooey plate of guacamole and sour-cream-topped nachos ($8.99). Completely fresh gourmet burgers ($9.29 for 10 oz., $8.29 for 6 oz.), sided with seasoned fries, let more carnally inclined 'vores flex their finger muscles around the Ragin' Cajun with a special blend of spices and pepper jack cheese, or indulge in tropical tastes with the pineapple-and-fruit-salsa-stacked Caribbean burger. Those hankering for a less meat-based meal can opt for salads such as the Third Street ($9.29) with chicken, seasoned almonds, blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and red onions. Vegetarians will appreciate the black-bean veggie burger ($8.49), served with baby greens salad. Characters in Hitchcock films, meanwhile, can conceal the blood stains on their shirt before the police officer sees them with a little help from the house specialty, fall-off-the-bone barbecue ribs ($14.99/half). For dessert, spoon indulgent mouthfuls of triple chocolate cake with eight layers ($4.99), made-from-scratch banana cream pie featuring a wafer crust ($5.49), or Max & Erma's signature fresh-baked cookies ($5.99/half dozen).